The next evening talk is to take the form of a presentation
by the three Nature Conservation Students, who are nearing
the end of their year's practical at Rievlei. They will give
a power-point presentation on their research projects for
the year. It will also be our “ end-of-year function ”. To
celebrate the end of another year at Rietvlei, and the
second year in our Environmental Education Centre we will
have a bring-and –share evening. Please could you bring a
plate of snacks. We will supply some wine, fruit juice, tea
and coffee. We plan to start the student presentations at
8:00pm, so if you could arrive at 7:30pm for some social
time first, that would be great. It will also be a chance to
watch a lovely Rietvlei sunset. If you have queries please
contact Pauline on 557 6920 (a/h)

Our OPEN DAY was held on Sunday 6 November. In spite of a
howling wind blowing across the vlei, we enjoyed a walk to
the bird hide where we watched flamingos, pelicans, stilts,
Egyptian Geese, spoonbill, great crested grebe and many
more. It was lovely to have some children there as well. On
the way back to the Education Centre we detoured to have a
look at some of the plants that have recently been planted
near the bird hide, in an area now known as the “bird hide
block”. They seem to be growing well. A few years should see
them growing into a good patch of strandveld.

Our next Open Day will be early next year. We will keep you
posted.

Following an experience one of our members had with a snake
while walking around the vlei, the suggestion has been made
that you program the phone number of the gatehouse into your
cell phone as you pass through the gate, if you are coming
in for a walk. This will make it easy for you to summon help
if you find yourself in any kind of difficulty. The
gatehouse number is 557 5509.

FRIENDS GET-TOGETHER

WESSA ( Wildlife and Environment
Society of South Africa), with whom Friends of Rietvlei is
affiliated, is holding a Friends get-together, hosted by
Friends of Lion's Head, at the Fresnaye Sports Club on 3
December, from 10:00 to 13:30. This is a good opportunity to
find out what other friends groups are doing, and also to
feel part of a big network of people making a difference for
the environment. There will be a bring and share picnic.
Phone Pat on 557-3748 for confirmation and more details.

NEWS FROM THE RESERVE

•

Cassy has added 61 specimens to our herbarium
collection. They can be seen in our Education
Centre.

•

It's snake season now so people should have numbers
for snake handlers and snake bite victims : Snake
handlers: 082 826 1518, Snake wrangler: 082 550
5853, Paramedics: 0800 225 599 (We've already been
called out for two snakes).

•

A skaapsteker snake was found dead in Milnerton
Ridge. A local resident brought it to the office for
identification and it has now been preserved for the
Education Centre as it was in good condition. The
Rhombic Skaapsteker ( Psammophylax rhombeatus) is a
common medium sized, diurnal snake found in the
Western Cape in a variety of habitats. It is pale
olive in colour with a double vertebral row of
irregular black spots and a row of much larger spots
down each side. It eats mainly amphibians and
lizards, but can take small mammals. It lays up to
30 eggs in mid to late summer. It may bite if
proviked but its venom is of no consequence to man.

•

A contractor with a team of 10 labourers has been
funded by the Storm-Water Dept to work at Rietvlei.
Their main tasks will be to clear out water
hyacinth, excessive reed growth, litter etc from
storm-water channels entering Rietvlei., as well as
the Diep River. They have also been used to tidy up
the newly graded road that lies on the edge of the
north vlei.

•

A similar team has also been appointed for Zoarvlei,
to keep that clear of aquatic weeds and litter.

•

Have you spotted the new Coastcare signs that have
gone up in the coastal sections of Rietvlei? Look
for them at the Lagoon Mouth, Lagoon bank near the
canoe club, and at the entrance to the beach just
north of Sunset Beach. They are eye-catching and
informative.

•

There have been NO school groups visiting Rietvlei
during October. Two are scheduled for this month.
Please encourage any teachers or schools, youth or
interest groups that you know or have contact with,
to visit Rietvlei. The contact number is 557 7564
for bookings. There is also a brochure available
titled “Rietvlei Education Centre” that you can use
to promote the centre.

NEWS FROM BLAAUWBERG
CONSERVATION AREA

The Friends of Blaauwberg Conservation Area (BCA) will be
hosting a walk on the planned "disability route" at Eerste
Steen on Saturday 19th November at 8:00am. Whilst walking a
general cleanup of the area will take place. As this is the
last event of the year please bring a picnic and join the
committee members for a brunch after the walk. Please feel
free to contact me should you have any queries. Cindy Welch,
Secretary: Friends of BCA, 084 9201160

There is a planned re-enactment of the Battle of Blaauwberg
(which happened in 1806) scheduled for 7-9 January 2006. The
event is being planned by the Battle of Blaauwberg Heritage
Society (BBHS) and promises to be spectacular! The Friends
of BCA are assisting and anyone who would like to find out
more or assist can contact Ronel Alberts on 083-474-1208 or
(work) 021-888-3829 or (home) 021-553-2479.

AS THIS IS THE LAST
NEWSLETTER FOR THE YEAR WE WISH ALL OUR MEMBERS A WONDERFUL
AND SAFE FESTIVE SEASON. MANY THANKS GO TO ALL OF YOU WHO
HAVE SUPPORTED OUR ACTIVIES AND CONSERVATION EFFORTS DURING
THE YEAR.
WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AT OUR LAST FEW FUNCTIONS FOR THE YEAR
AND THEN AGAIN IN 2006.
The Committee